Khamenei: U.S. Would Overthrow Us if it Could

Iran's Supreme Leader attacks the United States over its "controlling and meddlesome" attitude.

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Elad Benari, 09/02/14 05:01

Ali Khamenei

Reuters

Iran's Supreme Leader on Saturday once again verbally attacked the United States, saying Washington had a "controlling and meddlesome" attitude towards the Islamic Republic, Reuters reported, citing Iranian media.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also said that the United States would overthrow the Iranian government “if it could.”

In a speech marking the 35th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, Khamenei said that officials seeking to revive the economy should not rely on an eventual lifting of sanctions but rather on home-grown innovation.

"American officials publicly say they do not seek regime change in Iran. That's a lie. They wouldn't hesitate a moment if they could do it," he was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency.

He added that in dealing with "enemies", Iran should be prepared to change tactics but not compromise on its main principles.

"The solution to our economic problems is not looking out and having the sanctions lifted ... My advice to our officials, as ever, is to rely on infinite indigenous potentials," Reuters quoted him as having said.

"Our (hostile) stance toward the United States is due to its controlling and meddlesome attitude," he declared.

An interim nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers recently went into effect, but Iranian leaders have not stopped their anti-U.S. rhetoric.